[Game Thread] Lord Windos’ PokeRole Adventure 2: The Wild Lands

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Original Post here

...Okay, then Bernhard remains anxious as heck and filled with fear like he hasn't been in...months, at least. Years even, maybe. Note to self, Bern: Get yourself a prescription for an SSRI or SNRI when you get the chance. No shame in needing the help of medication to calm your nerves.

Speaking of 'calming your nerves': Without him doing anything, Spritzee summons himself from his Friend Ball; and promptly lands on Bern's shoulder. He gives his treasured Master a comforting coo, nuzzles him gently (which he appreciates in this case) - and this goes so far that he learns Calm Mind for 17XP, which Bernhard casts over himself via Evocation right away. (I actually wanted to collect for Misty Terrain, but given I now have a Dargon Type with me, not the smartest idea perhaps. Raising her unique Magic Speciality comes next)

...Much better indeed. The small pink puffball is allowed to stay out.


Now...to Zephy. Unimpressed and disappointed Zephy, to put it in better words.

We won't even try. Instead, letting out a deep sigh, and hide our face in our hands - one may also hear Bernhard let out a very faint sob (no tears though). In the faintest voice there is: "...I'm so sorry. I will not even try to reason or explain myself to you, dear Zephy. I am...so very sorry... Be as angry with and disappointed in me as you wish, for that is what I deserve; on top of the blame I am already putting on myself....."

Silence reigns for a while. Bernhard remains there by Darrens side, putting the blame on himself and loathing in self-hate and disappoinment over himself. Every now and then, he very faintly sobs, face still in hands.

When that sudden MESSAGE of WARNING came in, he almost jumped out of his skin. Aaaaand that former expression of horror and fear from previously returns on him; however now there's a slight undertone of something else in between the lines:

Determination.

He staaaaares at that WARNING on his phone for quite a while, then, painfully slowly glances over to Zephy.

"Zephy, dear, my most treasured and destinied mythical partner... Please do tell me thus: Will it...make you feel better about me if I do lend my aid in this case? Will you...help me and stay by my side handling that....thing with all the others?" He glaces out of a neaby window, then back at Zephy, a sudden stable posture on him. "The city of Bayhama has put their faith and trust in me, has it not? How about...we go and show them that this trust and faith has not been misplaced?

"I am...fearful, scared, anxious indeed, severly so, but..."

"...but...."



"..Please give me the chance to do what is right. A hero I am not, never wanted to be one... However there is no running away anymore from what has been started, now is there? Please...help me in this...fight. I am counting on you. You do mean the world to me, and I don't want to see you loathing me, Zephy..."



Course of Action:
Please give me Zephy's response here, Windos. Yes I am now..leaning into joining indeed, I've thought about it. 
People, I'm so severly scared, but I don't want to regret things later... Let's, uhm...handle this Major Encounter TOGETHER. ...Okay?

Furthermore, Windos, please give me your input on the following asap:
- Stats and Specialities for Equinox WITHOUT the bonus of the Radiant Topaz (will count these in myself). I'm lacking these yet, but I plan to have her involved.
- What the Accuracy Roll and priority for Cyan Surge is. Aka +1 or is it higher given it triples her speed.
- Green light that both Equi and Nirix will be battle-ready for this Encounter without penalties, aka have the nurses patch up both enough to be fine.

DUE TO MY FUCKING COMPUTER DECIDING TO GLITCH OUT SHIT, I had to redo A LOT of this from scratch. To say that I'm PISSED is an understatement, but I can't simply bullet point ALL of it due to the intent behind the scene. SO, we're compromising here - I'm bullet point the small stuff, and TRY To recapture what I originally written to the best of my abilities

FUCK MY GODDAMN COMPUTER

----

* Myra and Nox are worried about your overanxious state, though they remain in their Balls (You have to forcibly keep Nox's closed though)
* You haven't felt like THIS in years, due to isolating yourself to advance your studies and craft; you've lost that 'tough adventurous edge' of yours
* Using Calm Mind and Spritze deciding to follow up with their Aromatherapy, you have Unlocked the Move Combo - Zen State : + 1 to ALL Attributes, Cleanse Negative Mental Effects and Doubts, Reach for ???. To Use: Use Aromatherapy OR Calm Mind then the other Move, one after the other, or simultaneously at a - 5 Accuracy Difficulty via Gauntlet Invocation (use Calm Mind Accuracy Roll). You're previous anxiety is eliminated, and you are filled with Serenity, Self-Reflection, and the quiet, budding Determination to Carry on. Times are tough now, but you have Survived Worse and Done Worse too. Learn for this moment and Do Better. As you always have, from Beginning to End...

Here's the Zephy Scene Recreated, to the best of my Ability (*SIGHS*)

Instead of sobbing your tone is quietly but vividly sorrowful and contemplative, which coupled with the Sincerity of your statements and complete refusal to absolve yourself of any responsibility for Fleeing instead of Helping.....

....You hear Zephy let out a quiet *Sigh* and approach, and soon you feel her paw on your chin, tilting your head ever so slightly up to where she was.

"*Calm, yet Disappointed tone* ...I understand, Bern. I was scared too, you know. We haven't faced anything like THAT in a long time, and we weren't exactly at our best or most prepared. You're not used to taking risks anymore, and did what you thought was the Smartest move any Independent Scimitar would do in that situation against a unknown but terrible threat. But. But....it was not just you or us, Bernhard. You had your FRIENDS there to help you, SUPPORT US and have our backs.

"*Huffs, Stern Tone* Yes, friends - you're not fooling me or anyone else with that pompous, aloof, know-it-all, holier than thou Scimitar attitude you like to affect with others. Seddi, Akamu, Oz, Darren, and Vernon ... we haven't known them for too long, but we BOTH know they're good people we CAN rely on when the chips are down and the paint runs dry. Like with Acrowls, the Scholar, ugh Morgana, and of course Terra. We can Trust them , Bern. In a LOT of things. ...I know is scary to....give that sort Trust back.  It's hard. It's difficult on you. *Haunted Tone* Gods, how I know. *Tone Sad*....But I also know that you'll regret it if you don't even give them a CHANCE to prove it True. "

Zephy draws closer, and soon you feel her gently cradle your head. A rare gesture of support and comfort - one she only uses when the time is right or when you need it most.

"Give them a Chance, Bernhard. Make it up to them. I promise it'll work out in the end. They're good people....and so are you. "

The two of you take that period of silence to just....hold each other. Reflect. Regain your own resolve and confidence, and put away any lingering notions of self-hate and resentment on your hasty decision. 

You may have made a Choice you've come to regret, but that doesn't mean its the end of things. Not this time. Maybe not ever....if you choose to do better for your friends and yourself.

---

* Once the Message is Broadcasted, Zephy gives you her immediate approval. "Yes. For the both of us. This is our Chance Bern. To do right by our friends, by the city, and by OURSELVES. Let's be heroes in Truth and Belief once more. With them...or without them. For no matter what.....

"

I'll always be your Partner, until the very End

."

She'll give your face a soft nuzzle, before going over to plop onto your shoulder, awaiting your next move....

*still sobs in a happy and very touched manner* Also fuck your computer indeed *angry fist*)



No SSRI or SNRI needed anymore when you have MAGIC ! Oh, I love~ this Zen State mechanic (can we have this in real life too please?)


Bernhard has literally nothing to say or add to Zephy's words and her reassurance. They simply...touch him on a very sensitive nerve, he just..lets them sink in.

And at the end of her words, as she gently cradles his head...he cannot hold back tears anymore, and he does not care whether Zephy sees these. He'll let her dry or catch these even. All the anxiety, all the happenings, all the troubles and problems from the previous days, him feeling like a most beloved plaything by Father Fate, Miss Fortune and Lady Luck, and noooow the regret and self-loathing and blame he puts on himself... There's only so much a man like Bernhard can handle without something breaking inside.

But...let's not worry about this just now. Let's just...look ahead and do what's right in Bern's book.

"Oh you, dear Zephy..." He'd tell her with a smile and scratching her chin, "...I TOLD you so often I don't want to be a 'hero', as you are putting it. My place is in the field of magic and alchemy, to be on par with Acrowls one glory day.... But... That shouldn't prevent us from being...heroic in this case, I guess? *chuckles* If you wish to put it THAT way...."



There's no real need to convince Equinox to listen to orders, as using her moves via the Gauntlet bypasses disobedience (very handy!). Still, Bern does desire to summon and have a word with the glowy creature: "Oh dear, where to begin.... Equinox, dear. This shall be...the first time I'll be making use of your powers and unique skills. Do not be afraid and let me draw upon them for the greater good... *glances out of the window, then back at Umbrelong with a mild smirk* Let us see how that...THING....can handle your unique skills of radiation, now can it?~" He gives her a gentle headpat.

Same with Nirix, Myra and Spritzee, they all are summoned and receive reassurance and the request to allow us drawing upon their power for what we feel is RIGHT. "You may not know... But... All of you, as my magical companions, you do mean more to me than you might think. Please..lend me your strengths. For I rely on them. Without you, I'd be nothing and weak... If any of you may not make it out alive... Know that it will not be in vain. Our time together remains, and that is what counts." (Doesn't mean that Bernhard will not try his best to have them survive!)

And while we're at it, way ahead of the plan 
- Teach Stored Power and Swords Dance to Nirix
- Teach Icy Wind to Zephy
- Teach Moon Blast to Spritzee

Aaaaand while we're also at it, send a message to Morgana, which simply reads "If you do not hear anything from me within a week from now on... Know that I have always secretly loved you, despite me resisting this not being the case"


That...should be all, I think. About time we go and find the others, now is there? The anxious and fearful Bernhard from before is gone, instead there's now a Bernhard that's brimming with Serenity and Determination.